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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSafe & Healthy - 2005-11-01 SAFE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES NOVEMBER 1, 2005 CITY OF KITCHENER The Safe and Healthy Community Advisory Committee met this date, commencing at 4:02 p.m. Present: Councillor B. Vrbanovic, Co-Chair P. Doherty, S. Fohring, S. Franzen, and D. Schnarr S. Bergstra, 1. Bender, 1. Beaulne and M. Harris were in attendance for part of the meeting Staff: J. Dean, Safe City Co-ordinator L. Korabo, Committee Administrator C. Sadeler, Interim Director, Community Programs and Services 1. DOWNTOWN LIGHTING / SAFETY CONCERNS Doug Hoch, Co-Chair, and Glenn Woolner, Member, Downtown Advisory Committee (DAC), advised of concerns recently raised by DAC regarding inadequate lighting and safety issues in the Downtown. Mr. D. Hoch advised that discussions held by DAC centered on two main objectives: improving safety and enhancing the appeal of King Street. DAC members suggested that a recommendation be forwarded to City Council requesting further work be undertaken to rectify these concerns and comments from the Safe and Healthy Community Advisory Committee be included. Mr. G. Woolner provided information on research he undertook regarding the Downtown and its lighting standards. He advised that in the past, neon lights and store-front lighting aided in enhancing street lighting; however, storefronts are no longer lit after dark and this has created many darkened areas in the core. He suggested that restaurant and storeowners be asked to light up their facades so that the spill-over effect will provide additional Downtown lighting. Achieving this is difficult but small steps have already begun, such as the 25 art installations throughout the Downtown sponsored by the Available Space Art Project (ASAP). These installations are lit in order to draw attention to them to encourage window shopping and increase pedestrian traffic. Mr. Woolner advised that a lighting study was completed in 1998 but its recommendations have been only partially implemented. He requested input from the Committee regarding ways to jointly promote increased lighting in the City's core. He has had informal discussions with City staff regarding stepping up the formal lighting program so that the public's perception of an unsafe Downtown can be alleviated. In closing, Mr. Woolner requested the Committee's assistance in developing lighting standards and helping to enforce them as well as considering contributing to the cost of any possible undertaking. Ms. J. Dean advised that the Downtown Lighting Study (1998) was not meant to be fully funded by the municipality. In fact, she advised that the public sector was identified as a full participant in that it would be required to expend a full one-half of the required funds to install all of the lighting recommended in the study. Speaking on the matter of increased energy costs and the fact that this may be a deterrent to businesses agreeing to light up their storefronts, LED technology provides a fairly inexpensive option for improving evening lighting. Mr. Woolner agreed that energy saving LED lighting could be considered but also pointed out that this lighting can be very harsh. In order to make the streetscape more appealing, a softer light would be a better choice. Councillor B. Vrbanovic noted that part of the problem with providing lighting is the balance between the level of lighting required to provide a safe, inviting environment and the costs required to do so. Mr. Woolner advised that Ms. Silvia Wright, Manager of Downtown Community Development, will work in collaboration with storeowners on this initiative. In addition, the Kitchener Downtown Business Association (KDBA) should also become involved. Councillor Vrbanovic proposed that a review of the recommendations contained in the 1998 Downtown Lighting Study be undertaken in order to get the implementation of lighting back on track. He suggested that City staff be invited to the December Committee meeting to provide an update on the Study and its effectiveness to date and members of DAC, as well as the Manager of Community Downtown Development and the Executive Director of Economic Development, be invited to attend. He then suggested that discussions be held on establishing a working group SAFE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES NOVEMBER 1, 2005 - 22- CITY OF KITCHENER 1. DOWNTOWN LIGHTING / SAFETY CONCERNS (CONT'D) comprised of members of Safe and Healthy, DAC and the KDBA which would review the current situation in conjunction with the recommendations of the Downtown Lighting Study and make recommendations regarding an action plan. Ms. T. Beaulne noted the importance of a good communications piece being included with any action plan so that education and promotion of the work to be recommended would get out to the public. 2. REQUEST FOR SAFETY AUDITS OF MUNICIPAL WALKWAYS A safety audit of municipal walkways was requested by Councillor G. Lorentz and previously discussed at the October 4, 2005 Committee meeting. At that time it was agreed that Councillor B. Vrbanovic would discuss the issue with Councillor Lorentz and clarify the request and Ms. J. Dean would report on discussions held with City staff regarding a walkway inventory. Councillor Vrbanovic advised that he had spoken with Councillor Lorentz regarding concerns raised by area residents on the general issue of walkways and their use / abuse by youth as well as safety concerns related to lighting, fencing and vegetation. He commented that the traditional design trends utilized for walkways over the past 20-30 years are now being replaced with newer best practices. Ms. Dean circulated a "Walkway Inspection Form" being used by City staff conducting the inventory. She directed the Committee's attention to the safe city data being collected under the categories of fencing, vegetation, lighting and evidence of drug use for each walkway surveyed. She also advised that digital photos will be taken at each location. The City's Engineering Operations staff expect to have the inventory completed by the end of November, at which time they will highlight those walkways they feel should be the subject of a safety audit. Ms. C. Sadeler asked if resources would be available if hundreds of walkways were identified as needing safety audits and Councillor Vrbanovic stated that a staff report could be presented at the Committee's December or January meeting and then referred to Community Services Committee requesting funds to undertake whatever action is required. 3. UPDATE - HALL'S LANE Ms. J. Dean advised that the space where the designed mural was to have been placed in Hall's Lane has been painted over with graffiti art which was authorized by the building's owner. Ms. Dean noted that a new location for the mural will now have to be found. 4. PRISONER RELEASE PROTOCOLS Ms. J. Dean advised of a meeting held with the Regional Director of the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services and also staff of the John Howard Society. The Ministry acknowledged the problem identified by the Committee and have agreed to look at a Provincial response. It was noted however, that this program would have to be costed out and this may take time. In the meantime, it is possible that the City could be provided with interim financial relief for the initiative it has taken to provide transportation for release prisoners to pick up their personal belongings. 5. WORK PLAN 2005 · Festival of Neighbourhoods Finale - Mr. T. Bender advised that he attended the event on October 23, 2005. On behalf of the Committee, he presented the "Newcomer Award" and a voucher of $200. toward an event of 2006. The Committee was in receipt of a Certificate of Appreciation from the Festival of Neighbourhoods Organizing Committee. · Youth Website - nothing to report SAFE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES NOVEMBER 1, 2005 5. WORK PLAN 2005 (CONT'D) - 23- CITY OF KITCHENER · Violence in Sports - nothing to report, still waiting to hear back from the sports organization · Social Isolation and Inclusion - working group has not had an opportunity to meet, however, will be setting something up shortly. 6. FOREST HEIGHTS SAFETY AUDIT Mr. D. Schnarr advised of the conversation he recently had with Bonnie Snyder, District Facilitator, Forest Heights Community Centre, regarding incidents of vandalism which have been occurring. He advised that large groups of youth are hanging out at the Centre and their presence has caused concern with those residents utilizing the Centre and its facilities. Mr. Schnarr questioned if it would be in order to undertake a safety audit to address the public and staff's concerns. It was noted that the youth are coming from the nearby Forest Heights Collegiate. Councillor B. Vrbanovic advised that City Council meets twice yearly with School Board Trustees and could raise the issue of students loitering at the Forest Heights Community Centre and vandalizing the property. The Trustees could be requested to address this matter with administrative staff at Forest Heights Collegiate. Ms. C. Sadeler made comments on a similar situation which occurred at the Doon Pioneer Park Community Centre and suggested ways to address these incidents at Forest Heights. It was agreed that Ms. Sadeler, Ms. Dean, Ms. Beaulne and Mr. Schnarr would meet and discuss possible solutions to the problem and bring their suggestions to the next Committee meeting. 7. ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting adjourned at 5:35 p.m. Linda Korabo Committee Administrator